Barbeque sauce is part of the curriculum at North East ISD’s Agriscience Magnet Program (AMP). Madison High School is home to some of the best competitive cookers in the state. The Bar-B-QTs and the Outlaw Cookers put in long hours to perfect their recipes, which includes making adjustments in the kitchen and on the pit.
Both student teams travel across the state to compete in five categories: beans, dessert, chicken, ribs and brisket. The students are in charge of everything from manning the pit to tweaking recipes. Senior Carlo Contreras says he’ll take what he’s learned on the grill into the next chapter of his life.
“Our communication skills have definitely grown,” said Contreras. “We’ve also learned a lot about time management, so we have to think and plan ahead. A lot of times we come in after school and on the weekends to practice as a team. But a lot of us practice at home since we have such busy schedules.”
The road to the Texas High School Barbecue Championship takes NEISD students across Texas. Competition locations are spread out across the state, so that often means late nights and early mornings. Junior MaKayla Wiedenhoeft says those hectic, smoke-filled days on the road are part of the fun.
“Spending so much time together, waking up at 4 a.m. and going out and cooking together really brings you together,” said Wiedenhoeft. “Barbeque is definitely an art. When you hear your name called in any category that gives you a good feeling. It’s like winning a championship in baseball or football, you just feel accomplished.”
Wiedenhoeft says joining the Bar-B-QTs has helped her find her calling. She hopes to use everything she’s learned from this experience to one day open up her own restaurant.
The barbecue teams are used to fielding questions about their recipe for success, and Contreras believes you have to make a lot of bad barbecue before you get to the good stuff.
“To make good barbecue you’ve got to make bad barbecue,” said Contreras. “Once you do all of that competing and practice it’s a very fun time. It’s even more fun with a full stomach.”
Click here to learn more about AMP.
